PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: January 2007
Our AARP Chapter began the New Year with a truly delightful program. On
Tuesday, January 16th, to forestall the winter blahs, we held a program featuring music for our first 2007 membership meeting.
Mood Swing, a group of local musicians (Cathy Stell, Karl Sanzenbach, and Bob Thomas) entertained us with music from the
30's and 40's. This is the music that many of us listened to as we grew up, and we all enjoyed it!.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: February 2007
Harriett Cooper (left), our Chapter Program Chair, introduced our speaker, Dr. Larry Alexander (center), professor at Virginia Tech, and
publisher of the "Home Sweet Home" newsletter. The newsletter was discussed and its many features were described
on helping "seniors live longer and more enjoyably in their homes." His wife, Dr. Ann Alexander (right), of Radford University
provided a meaningful powerpoint presentation on nutritional supplements for seniors.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: March 2007
When March roars in many of us get that familiar itch to get out into our yards and
gardens to dig or plant or weed. Our speaker, Franklyn Moreno, President of the New River Valley Master Gardeners Association spoke first
about his reasons and experience as a member of this organization.
He then presented us with an informative overview of our local Master
Gardeners group and its many, many ways their members serve our community as volunteers. Membership information was distributed for those wishing to join,
contribute and volunteer with this organization.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: MAY 2007
Our program featured "A Report from the General Assembly" by Virginia Delegates Dave Nutter (left) and Jim Shuler (center) who
discussed what happened during the past Assembly session and what will be coming up in the future. Our Mini-Program speaker, William Finley
(right) spoke briefly about the need for volunteers for PATH, Partnership for Access to Healthcare, in the NRV.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: JUNE 2007
Our annual potluck picnic was held at Nellie's Cave Park on June 19th, with greetings from Ben Crawford (left) and Chapter president,
Jim Gaines (center). It was a bright, sunny day, with good food
and drink....a good time was had by all! Our white elephant sale was conducted
by Carl McDaniels (right), with the proceeds benefiting our Chapter Service Projects.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: SEPTEMBER 2007
"CHAPTER LEGISLATIVE FORUM EVENT AND AARP VIRGINIA VOTER EXPRESS VAN -- A BIG SUCCESS!"
 AARP Virginia Voter Express Van:
The Voter Express van was in our Blacksburg/Christiansburg area from September 16-19, to provide information on a variety of topics
of interest to seniors. Visitors to the Voter Express Van had the opportunity to learn about AARP's Divided We Fail (DWF) campaign.
AARP launched DWF to raise the voices of millions of Americans who believe that health care and lifetime financial
security are the most pressing domestic issues facing our nation. DWF is dedicated to ending the gridlock in Washington
and demanding that our national leaders take steps to address these issues and if they don't, for people to hold them accountable.
The AARP Chapter Forum on September 18th included Virginia Senate candidates, Senator John Edwards, Senatorial District 21, unopposed;
Ralph Smith, Senatorial District 22 candidate and opponent Mike Breiner, Senatorial District 22 candidate. The Virginia House of Delegates
candidates attending were Delegate Dave Nutter, House District 7 Incumbent and opponent, Ms. Peggy Frank, House District 7 candidate; and Delegate
Jim Shuler, House District 12, unopposed. The forum was moderated by Jean Jadhon of WDBJ 7 News.
Click this link to view photos taken at the Blacksburg AARP Chapter Candidates Forum.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: October 2007
L. to R.: Dianne Rhody Scott; Don Elson, Awards Chair; Harriett Cooper, Program Chair;
Bob Stuart; and Jim Gaines, President
Dianne Rhody-Scott of the Montgomery County Department of Social Services presented a 5-minute program on "Adult Foster Care."
Bob Stuart reported on the annual NAACP Freedom Banquet, and Don Elson announced that our Blacksburg AARP Chapter #2613 had won the 2006
AARP Virginia Large Chapter Newsletter Award. Ben and Carol Crawford, newsletter co-editors were credited with the award.
Harriett Cooper then introduced the speaker for this meeting, Mr. Charles Johnson, a New River Valley (NRV) native and a descendant of folks
from the little NRV community of Wake Forest. The topic of his talk was "Black History and the New River Valley."
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: November 2007
Dr. Thurman Lockhart, Professor in the Department of Engineering at Virginia Tech, discussed his research
on "Physiological Changes and the Occurrence of Accidents in Older Adults." It was a fascinating topic,
especially since many of us have suffered aches, pains and broken bones from serious falls as we grew older.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: December 2007
 On Tuesday, December 4th, our Blacksburg AARP Chapter held their annual Holiday Luncheon at noon at the
Holiday Inn University on Prices Fork Road in Blacksburg. The Blacksburg Community Band added to the holiday spirit while we sang along
or just enjoyed the music.
Photos taken by Bob Abraham and Ben Crawford
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